The Dream of Saint Joseph

This panel depicts the biblical episode of Saint Joseph’s first dream when the saint was relieved of his doubts, as narrated in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. Joseph of Nazareth was told by an angel in a dream that the child which Mary was expecting was the work of the Holy Spirit, thus relieving his doubts on the paternity of Christ: “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. / And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1: 20-21)…